David EdwardsAustralia Battered, England Surging; Just All Too Late
November 26th 2006 12:43
Ashes First Test (Brisbane) Day Four Review
It seems that after three days of a one-sided contest, England have discovered that they can play as well as they did on their home soil last year.
Australia has been in control of the contest for the last three days. After obtaining the formidable score of 602 and 1/202 in their two innings, and limiting England to just 157 in their first attempt at bat it would seem that the Aussies would be able to wrap this up by the end of the fourth day without too much trouble.
But it seems the English had a completely different idea.
Going into bat after only 5 overs were played in the morning for Australia, as that was all that was needed for Langer to get that allusive century, England were looking at a 647 score deficit, and no real hope of escaping this looming defeat.
However, as they were able to prove time and time again in the last Ashes series, they were not beaten yet. After a semi top order collapse, as Bell left on a duck, Strauss caught out on 11 and debutant Cook able to make a interesting 43 before being bamboozled by a Warne ball, it seemed that the pitch at the Gabba turned into the Collingwood and Pietersen show.
Both were able to show their strength on the pitch, and they made no time in ensuring Australia that they would not go down without a fight. Obtaining a 153 run partnership, both players were smashing the ball around the field, and as the Australia side looked to have no answer. Warne, Clark, Lee, and the worn McGrath could not latch on to any opportunity, and it seemed to breath life into the Lion’s pride squad.
Australia were indeed feeling the pinch after their dominance over the last three days. McGrath did not factor much into the bowling rotation, constantly leaving the field to have the physio look at his sore ankle, and Ponting himself was left on the warm-up bench as his upper back was locking up after his second innings batting stance.
Australia got lucky, as Warne was able to finally dismiss the formidable duo, catching Collingwood off to earn a stumping, and his third wicket for the innings. It seemed that that would just unleash a fired up Flintoff onto the pitch, however his reign was cut short after mistiming a shot to Langer at mid-off to leave on 16.
However at stumps, England had breathed life into a otherwise one-sided match. Pietersen stayed on for 92 at stumps, and Jones was playing the perfect partner, by making the wise shots and staying within his boundaries. But it all seems to be too little, too late.
With only one day left of play, England have only 5 wickets in hand, and still trailing by 355 runs. It seems that if they go for either playing safe or going for gold, they have a huge task ahead of them. It might be the case where even the thundercloud rumours might not be the saving grace the English need to save this first Test.
Until next time, sports minds.
It seems that after three days of a one-sided contest, England have discovered that they can play as well as they did on their home soil last year.
Australia has been in control of the contest for the last three days. After obtaining the formidable score of 602 and 1/202 in their two innings, and limiting England to just 157 in their first attempt at bat it would seem that the Aussies would be able to wrap this up by the end of the fourth day without too much trouble.
But it seems the English had a completely different idea.
Going into bat after only 5 overs were played in the morning for Australia, as that was all that was needed for Langer to get that allusive century, England were looking at a 647 score deficit, and no real hope of escaping this looming defeat.
However, as they were able to prove time and time again in the last Ashes series, they were not beaten yet. After a semi top order collapse, as Bell left on a duck, Strauss caught out on 11 and debutant Cook able to make a interesting 43 before being bamboozled by a Warne ball, it seemed that the pitch at the Gabba turned into the Collingwood and Pietersen show.
Both were able to show their strength on the pitch, and they made no time in ensuring Australia that they would not go down without a fight. Obtaining a 153 run partnership, both players were smashing the ball around the field, and as the Australia side looked to have no answer. Warne, Clark, Lee, and the worn McGrath could not latch on to any opportunity, and it seemed to breath life into the Lion’s pride squad.
Australia were indeed feeling the pinch after their dominance over the last three days. McGrath did not factor much into the bowling rotation, constantly leaving the field to have the physio look at his sore ankle, and Ponting himself was left on the warm-up bench as his upper back was locking up after his second innings batting stance.
Australia got lucky, as Warne was able to finally dismiss the formidable duo, catching Collingwood off to earn a stumping, and his third wicket for the innings. It seemed that that would just unleash a fired up Flintoff onto the pitch, however his reign was cut short after mistiming a shot to Langer at mid-off to leave on 16.
However at stumps, England had breathed life into a otherwise one-sided match. Pietersen stayed on for 92 at stumps, and Jones was playing the perfect partner, by making the wise shots and staying within his boundaries. But it all seems to be too little, too late.
With only one day left of play, England have only 5 wickets in hand, and still trailing by 355 runs. It seems that if they go for either playing safe or going for gold, they have a huge task ahead of them. It might be the case where even the thundercloud rumours might not be the saving grace the English need to save this first Test.
Until next time, sports minds.
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